[pp19/20 W Kneale "Oddfellows Companion and Guide to
Douglas, Isle of Man" 1897; issued in conjuction with the
Annual Moveable Conference held in Douglas in 1897 - this guide book
also contained many useful biographies of leading figures in
Manx Oddfellowship of the time]

P.G. John Stephen.

P.G. BRO. JOHN STEPHEN, of the Loyal Good Anchorage Lodge, was
born at Ballamoar, Ballaugh, on the 4th June, 1806. At the age of
21he became a member of Ballaugh Parish Club, of which Club
he was a member for about 13 years, when he was induced to try to
establish a Lodge in Ramsey by a member of the Order, Bro. Harmon.
After considerable difficulty and opposition, they succeeded in
forming a Lodge, the number being 1776, name as above. The other
brethren who joined him in office were, Jas. Taubman. Thos. Lace, Jas
Kissack, John Lace, and John Heallis. The dispensation for opening
was granted in the month of May, 1839. About 20 brethren journeyed
from Douglas, by cars, to Ramsey. On the cars arriving at Ballure
Bridge, a procession was formed, which proceeded via Waterloo Road,
Market Place, to the Albert Hotel, where the Lodge was to be located.
In addition to the above six, two more were made members. The Lodge
met with strong opposition from the fairer sex, they having an
impression that serious consequences would certainly fallow the
joining of any secret society (as they called it). A Douglas man
acted as N.G. of the Lodge. Bro. Stephen walked from Ballaugh, seven
miles, summer and winter, for the first two years, and so strictly
were the rules carried out, that Bro. Stephen was fined for being
five minutes late upon a night when any brother would have claimed an
excuse through the storm which was raging. He also filled the office
of N.G. of one of the Lodges in the country. He was a joiner by
trade, but was induced by Col. Campbell to become Rural Constable,
and, this office he held for a number of years, and was held in great
respect by all, He afterwards became Coroner, which office .he held
for 42 consecutive years, and on retirement, received a pension,
which he still lives to enjoy. At the ripe age of 91 he survives all
who joined him to start the Lodge, and still remains at heart a truly
fine example to all Oddfellows for the deep interest he takes in the
Lodge. He examines carefully the, balance sheets of the Lodge of
which he stands on the roll. book No. 1, and when, as often
occurs, some of the officers of the Lodge visit him at his home in
Ballaugh, a hearty. welcome is always given, and a pleasant evening
spent as he tells of the early days when he and his fellows laid the
foundation of the Lodge, which now numbers nearly 500 members.